Rebecca Arend, M.D., MSPH | Principal Investigator
Dr. Rebecca Arend is an associate professor of Gynecology Oncology within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham as a surgeon-scientist providing oncologic care for patients with gynecologic cancer. She is a Senior Scientist at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center – she has held several key roles including Chair of the Data Safety and Monitoring Committee, Co-Chair of the Gynecology Oncology Working Group, Co-Chair of the Phase I Working Group, and Co-Chair of the Precision Oncology Working Group, and Experimental Therapeutics Program Leader. Currently, she serves as the Associate Director of the Clinical Research in the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Arend’s clinical interests include translational research, targeted therapy, chemoresistance, immunotherapy, and personalized medicine. She has been awarded funding for over sixInvestigator Initiated trials and has served as both the local and national Principal Investigator on multiple Phase II and III clinical trials. Dr. Arend was awarded a DOD Early Career Investigator Grant (W81XWH-18-1-0231) assessing the relationship between Wnt pathway and the expression signature of immune genes in clinical specimens from this study. She was also awarded the NCCN Young Investigator Award to study the role of TGF-b in immune suppression for ovarian cancer patients.
In addition to her service and awards as faculty at UAB she also serves on several committees and collaborates extensively with investigators at other institutions and within UAB. Dr. Arend is also the Co-Investigator at UAB for directing the Tissue CORE for the Cervical SPORE award where she works extensively with our Pathology department and Tissue Biorepository team. She sits on multiple NCCN guidelines committees, which serve to ensure that all patients receive preventive, diagnostic, treatment, and supportive services that are most likely to lead to optimal outcomes. She supports the cervical, vulvar, vaginal, endometrial, and gestational trophoblastic disease panels. She is a the chair of translational research on the Ovarian Cancer Committee for the NRG.
Nancy Saxon, RN | Clinical Nurse Manager
I am an experienced Clinical Nurse Manager with more than 20 years of experience in maternal-fetal medicine, urogynecology, and women’s health research. I currently lead research teams within the UAB Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Gynecology Oncology and Urogynecology, overseeing the execution of multiple NIH and industry-sponsored clinical trials. My expertise includes trial initiation, data quality assurance, regulatory compliance, research staff supervision, and interdepartmental coordination. My leadership ensures 24/7 research coverage, accurate and timely data management, and the maintenance of high standards in adherence to FDA regulations and GCP guidelines. My passion for advancing women’s health through research and dedication to operational excellence positions me to significantly contribute to large-scale collaborative studies and clinical research initiatives.
Erin O’Connor | Program Manager
An avid life-long learner, Erin O’Connor has multiple degrees across diverse fields, including Humanities, Linguistics, and Biology. She has had intensive cross-cultural and linguistic training, and has taken part in programs promoting education and food security on several continents. Referring to herself as a professional cat-herder and spinner of plates, she is a Program Manager of Oncological Studies at UAB.
Ashwini Katre, MBA, MSPH | Clinical Research Coordinator III
Ashwini holds a double master’s degree in Public Health and Business Administration. She has been a valuable member of GO-RE team and Gynecologic Oncology division for almost 10 years, taking on various responsibilities throughout her tenure. As a Clinical Research Coordinator III, Ashwini is responsible for writing clinical trial documents, including lab manuals, protocols, and consent forms, while also overseeing the collection and storage of clinical specimens. She manages essential administrative tasks, such as creating budgets and monitoring expenses across different projects. Outside of work, Ashwini enjoys cooking, creating textured art, for unwinding after a busy day. On weekends, she loves spending time with her children, exploring the outdoors, and hiking trails.
Misty West | Clinical Research Coordinator II
Misty is a Clinical Research Coordinator II and the Clinic Team Lead for Dr. Arend’s Gyn Oncology Research Team. Misty has successfully overseen a range of clinical trials, including the primary coordinator for the Cervical SPORE Trials. Her responsibilities encompassed patient recruitment, protocol development, and adherence to regulatory requirements such as FDA guidelines and GCP standards. Misty is passionate about research to help improving cancer patient outcomes and cancer prevention. Misty’s goal is to advance in her career by taking on new roles and responsibilities and furthering her education as a Clinical Research Coordinator to contribute to the impact of research.
Jenna Logan | Clinical Research Coordinator I
Jenna Logan started at UAB in September 2019 as a CCMA. After 3 years in Primary Care, she decided to further her career path and became a Research Coordinator. She has now been a Clinical Research Coordinator I for 2 years and has enjoyed learning and new experiences. She plans to further her education by getting my RN and continue to grow within Gynecology Oncology Research. She is the primary Research Coordinator for DETECT, PRECiSE, SISTER, Chemo Cognitive Impairment Study, NACT, Champions, and Translational Research.
Dhruva Dave, MBBS | Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Dhruva is an international medical graduate from India. Driven by her aspirations of becoming a surgeon-scientist and paving a pathway for IMGs in the field of OB/GYN, she has joined our team. As a postdoctoral researcher, she prescreens patients coming to the Gyn/Onc clinic for the various clinical and translational studies, manages databases, and oversees specimen collection. She is also involved in writing manuscripts, grants, data abstraction and analysis, mentoring students, and presenting her research at national conferences. Her research interests lie in identifying predictive biomarkers for ovarian cancers, immunotherapy, and addressing health disparities. Dhruva’s goal is to become a board-certified OB/GYN and pursue further training in academia to contribute to impactful research. Outside of work, she is a certified Indian classical dancer (Bharatnatyam) and enjoys painting, baking, creating digital illustrations, and montages.
Jianqing Zhang, PhD | Lab Manager
- Roles and responsibilities: Reorganizations of Biosamples in Dr. Arend’s lab. Supervising students in Dr. Norian’s lab for recombinant molecular studies; Served as an acting manager for UAB Nanostring Counter Core lab over Department of Radiation Oncology.
- Future goals: Help finding cures for cancer
- Hobbies: more than 30 years of TaiChi practicing.
Angelette Edwards | Lab Assistant
- Roles and responsibilities: Specimen collection, labelling, operating laboratory equipment, data entry, tissue and biospecimen processing and inventory maintenance.
- Hobbies- Line dancing, bowling, escape rooms, tennis and spending time with family and friends.
Hunter Segrest | Researcher I, Tissue Bio-Repository
Hunter grew up outside of Prattville, Alabama and went to school at Marbury Highschool before staring at UAB in 2020. While at UAB alongside with getting his degree, he was also a supplemental instructor for the introductory biology classes and acted as the treasurer for several clubs including UAB’s Bharatanatyam and Belly dancing clubs. He is hoping to start working on his master’s soon while gaining more experience in research. His primary responsibility as a researcher 1 with the procurement team is in collecting tissue from patients that will be used in current and future research. Outside of work he likes to read, listen to music, go on nature walks, volunteer at Blazer Kitchen, and has been trying to learn to knit.
Purva Pawar | Year I CRAYON
Nneka Ijeli | Year I CRAYON
Nneka Ijeli has her bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience and Spanish from Vanderbilt University where she worked as a research assistant at an autism spectrum disorder research lab and a women’s health lab. She is currently a clinical research assistant in the oncology navigator program (CRAYON). Her current goals are to make significant contributions to the team and learn all she can about gynecologic oncology research and clinical trials. She plans to attend medical school after the program. Some of her hobbies include traveling, playing ukulele, and spending time with friends and family.
